Miamiis an international city, unlike any other in the United States. It is known as Southeast Florida’s “Magic City,” and is located on the Miami River, between the Florida Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean. Miami is the state’s largest city and the county seat for Miami-Dade County (which is the most populated county in Florida.) Half of the two million people who live in the Miami area are Hispanic and Spanish is the predominant language. Warm, balmy temperatures, giant Banyan trees and palms swaying in the breeze along with an eclectic blend of art, music, food and entertainment makes Miami one of the most exciting cities in the country. It’s hard to believe that just over a century ago, it was nothing more than a swampy outpost of mosquito infested settlements. In 1896, with a population of only 300, the city officially incorporated and things changed with the arrival of the railroad. This gave Miami a link with the rest of the country and cleared the way for the property boom of the 1920s. By the 1950s it had become a popular resort area among celebrities, and at the same time, thousands of Cubans fleeing the regime of Fidel Castro arrived in mainland Miami. After suffering in the 1980s due to reports of the city having the highest crime rate in the country, Miami is back stronger than ever and is now considered one of the most fashionable resorts in the U.S. More than 2.2 million people live in the city and surrounding areas, with over 362,000 in the city proper. The city’s importance as an international financial and cultural city has elevated it to the status of “World City.” Visitors come to Miami for world-class shopping and dining, unparalleled recreational activities, unique attractions and non-stop entertainment in a diverse culture not seen in any other U.S. city.

Blessed with year round mild weather and access to the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, Miami has become America’s southernmost resort city and a highly sought after international recreation destination. Miami caters to busy, on-the-go tourists and has some of the world’s top golf courses, tennis and other sporting facilities. In addition, it’s a natural magnet for boating and fishing enthusiasts, divers and other water sports aficionados. For fun in the sun, there are the beaches of Key Biscayne, Virginia Beach and Miami Beach, where you can swim, surf, sunbathe, search for shells, build a sandcastle – the choices are endless. Miami has an Ancient Spanish Monastery, the Miami Metro Zoo and dozens of museums such as the Miami Museum of Science & Space Transit and the Miami Seaquarium. There are literally hundreds of special events going on throughout the city all year long, and when the sun goes down in Miami, the neon begins to glow and the energy pulsates to an ongoing Latin beat. Enticing aromas waft from open restaurants and music soars from the nightclubs and dance clubs along South Beach. The best time to visit Miami, as far as weather goes, is December through May, although it’s much less crowded June to November. Discover all that Miami has to offer as a diverse, international city of culture, commerce and entertainment.